Clallam County’s top Master Gardeners honored

Lois Bellamy, Bob Cain, Judy Mann and Patricia Star-Bowen were presented the Master Gardeners Golden Trowel Award on Aug. 27.

According to Lorrie Hamilton, WSU Clallam County Master Gardener program coordinator, the Golden Trowel Award recognizes Master Gardeners that have been active in the organization for over five years, dedicated over 750 hours of volunteer time and demonstrated outstanding service in promoting education and environmental stewardship.

She said that the award recipients have contributed a combined total of over 6,000 hours educating home gardeners through plant clinics, demonstration gardens, lectures, presentations and other events.

Bellamy, a Master Gardener since 2007, has served as garden manager at the Robin Hill demonstration garden, served on the Master Gardener of Clallam County Foundation Board of Directors and redesigned the foundation’s website.

Cain, who was recognized at the Master Gardener Intern of the Year in 2009 and Master Gardener of the Year in 2011, presents frequently at the Green Thumb Garden Tips Brown Bags and Class Act at Woodcock educational series, Soroptimist Gala Garden Show and other events.

Mann has been an active Master Gardener since 2005.  She co-chaired the foundation’s spring and fall plant sales for over three years and also was a garden coordinator for the Petals and Pathways Home Garden Tour for four years.

Star-Bowen has been a Master Gardener since 2003. She oversees the Woodcock Demonstration Garden medicinal herb beds and shares her expertise on medicinal herbs through the Master Gardener’s educational series, in addition to providing gardening education through plant clinics and the foundation’s plant sale.

Each Golden Trowel Award honoree received an engraved rock paver which has been installed in a pathway at the Woodcock Demonstration Garden along with the 70 previous award recipients.